The Razer Blackshark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Headset is their newest entry into the professional eSports headset arena. These ultra-lightweight headphones come packed with everything professionals and enthusiasts need to get into the game. Featuring Razer’s own 50 mm Triforce drivers, built-in Hyperclear Cardioid mic and onboard volume and profile management controls, the Blackshark V2 HyperSpeed works to find a delicate balance between features and simplicity of function.
Volume, mute, Bluetooth and profile controls are all smartly laid out on the Blackshark as well. Each is easy to access and works exceptionally well, with the profile switcher being exceptionally responsive. The profile switch even includes an audio cue to let you know which profile you are currently using. Everything about the design and execution is built to create fast and seamless transitions for gamers.
Inspired by aviation-style headsets, the V2 HyperSpeed is a unique and stylish headset. Comprised of hard plastic and metal connection points, the Blackshark feels durable while still maintaining exceptionally lightweight. Speaking of, these 280 g headphones are extraordinarily comfortable to wear even over long sessions of gaming or media streaming.
“The Blackshark V2 HyperSpeed works to find a delicate balance between features and simplicity of function.”
This is accomplished, in part, by the inclusion of some seriously comfortable memory foam ear cups that still manage to be breathable. This closed-ear cup design rests perfectly on the sides of the head without applying a lot of pressure. Interestingly though, they also manage to do a solid job at creating noise isolation while being worn, resulting in a distraction-free gaming experience.
Likewise, the top headband pad is similarly comfortable and rests gently atop the head. All of this, coupled with the aforementioned ultra-lightweight, creates one of the most comfortable headsets I’ve tested. In fact, in full transparency, the Blackshark V2 HyperSpeeds have replaced my current headset as the daily driver, a feat that no other headset I’ve tested has accomplished in over three years.
However, comfort alone does not a headset make (I’m sure that’s a saying somewhere), which is why the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Headset comes packed with features and power. Sporting a host of connection types, there will be no problems connecting the BlackShark to your PC, Mac, PS4/5 or any other Bluetooth device. Sadly, Xbox users will have to sit this one out.
For wireless connections, gamers can expect full Razer HyperSpeed wireless support via the included USB Type C dongle. This is a tech that Razer has been implementing in many of this year’s wireless peripherals, and it boasts increased speed and stability of supported products.
In the case of the Blackshark, it optimizes and prioritizes the PC’s audio by scanning the available wireless frequencies and moving the Blackshark’s data transfer to the front of the line. Additionally, it scans for interrupting frequencies and avoids them so as to reduce data latency. For professional eSports players, this becomes an essential part of the experience, as even a second latency can cost one the match. For the rest of us, it ensures a consistent, latency-free audio experience.
Gamers also have the option to connect via the included USB Type-C to Type-A cable. This 1.8-meter braided cable also doubles as the connection for the aforementioned HyperSpeed dongle. It’s very much a plug-and-play experience that takes only a few seconds to set up.
For those who want to quickly connect to multiple devices, the Razer Blackshark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Headset has full Bluetooth 5.2 support. Connecting to the Switch or PS4/5 is as easy as adding a device through the system menu. Additionally, phones will have no issue connecting and leveraging the full power of the BlackSharks built-in microphone.
As for the microphone, I have to confess that I’m always skeptical of headset mics. Despite most companies’ best efforts, they always sound terrible. So, heading into testing, I didn’t have much hope for the BlackShark despite its marketing to the “pro-gamer”. However, I was pleasantly surprised at just how great the Razer Blackshark V2 HyperSpeed sounded. While it simply cannot compete with a dedicated USB or pre-amped mic, Razer has done an impressive job of giving both incredible customization options and a fairly solid audio capture.
“For those who want to quickly connect to multiple devices, the Razer Blackshark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Headset has full Bluetooth 5.2 support.”
This is accomplished by a couple of factors. First, Razer leverages its in-house Hyperclear Cardioid microphone. This microphone actually narrows the range of cardioid patterns picked up versus a standard cardioid microphone. This helps isolate the vocal pickup while filtering out the background noise.
The second factor that aids in the creation of a solid vocal profile is Razer Synapse’s impressive software. Synapse gives the user unprecedented amounts of control over what the mic picks up and allows for total customization of the audio pick-up experience. While I’ll speak more to Synapse later, it’s impressive how much control it gives you over the capture. My only critique of the microphone is that it would be nice if it were a detachable microphone. This is more preference than critique, honestly.
The included presets allow for a host of different settings, from eSports to broadcasting, with the latter being the cleanest and most true-to-life voice capture I’ve heard from a headphone mic. While there is still some slight distortion that occurs due to the nature of software gating and EQ’ing, the overall quality of the audio is impressive. It is the best experience I’ve had with a built-in headset mic to date.
While all of these features are well and good, it really all comes down to one question, “How good do the BlackShark headphones sound?”. On that front, Razer has knocked it out of the park. The included Triforce 50mm drivers pack a serious punch while gaming. As usual, I ran them through a gauntlet of tests to see how far they could be pushed.
The first test is a simple stress test that is comprised of running the headset at max volume for 50 hours through a variety of music selections to push the high, mid and low ranges. The BlackSharks performed well, with no notable frequency issues after the tests.
The second test is a full-frequency sweep designed to isolate problem areas for a set of drivers. These tests are generally done with a flat EQ setting so as to get the truest representation of the driver’s output. There were no real notable trouble frequencies for the BlackShark V2s, though they definitely favour those low-end frequencies by default. Thankful the mids and highs do a solid job and balancing the powerful rumble and presenting a fairly clear and clean audio sample on the higher frequency end.
Interestingly, the overall base profile was slightly bright but exceptionally full sound despite the powerful low end. This is achieved by Razer’s Triforce drivers. They are designed to actually isolate and tune the highs, mids and lows separately, which results in a fuller, cleaner overall sound. In testing, they sounded solid.
The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Headset also supports full THX Spatial Audio, so a full 7.1 surround sound test was also performed. While THX Spatial Audio is only supported on Windows PCs, the BlackShark headset handled the testing exceptionally well. Audio positioning and clarity were pinpoint accurate, and the headphones were able to handle complex audio mixes accurately, accommodating for source positioning and volume.
The result in gaming is a pretty incredible audio experience. DOOM Eternal and Titanfall 2 sounded clear and accurate during gameplay. Additionally, the soundtracks for DOOM Eternal sounded amazing while the sound effects still presented in full 7.1 surround. The overall hearing experience with the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Headset is immersive, focused and gorgeous.
“The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Headset also supports full THX Spatial Audio…”
While all of this is incredibly impressive, the one feature that blew me out of the water was the battery life on the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed. Boasting 70 hours of use in a single charge, the BlackShark can keep up with any length of gaming session you throw its way.
This is, in part, managed because of the HyperSpeed wireless, which reduces the needed power to use. Additionally, Razer has opted not to include RGB, which further helps with battery life. The battery life becomes even more impressive when you consider just how lightweight the headphones are.
As mentioned, the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed gives an incredible amount of control to the audio experience thanks to Razer Synapse. While Synapse has been around for a long while now, how the BlackShark leverages it is quite impressive. There is an incredible amount of control over the EQ settings, with four customizable profiles for audio listening. Switching between profiles is as simple as clicking a button.
Additionally, you’ll find a host of customization for the microphone as well, including customizable profiles, voice clarity boosting and mic noise cancellation. There is a whole tab dedicated to additional enhancements as well. The result is a software suite that allows the user to leverage every ounce of power and customization out of the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Headset.
The Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Headset is one of the most impressive I’ve worked with in recent memory. Packed with features and function while being incredibly comfortable to wear and simple to use, makes it that much more impressive. Priced at 129.99 USD, this is one of the best headsets in its weight class and worth considering.
